The Opposition Organizes Demonstration on Friday to Protest the Cancellation of Ferry Service
The Opposition will lead a protest at the Government Headquarters on Friday.
Former minister of Agriculture Claude Hogan says the demonstration is organized to hold the government to account on the ferry issue.
He says this follows from a lack of government consultations with users of the ferry about plans to terminate the service.
Mr. Hogan says the Opposition wants all concerned to know that the withdrawal of the ferry will hurt the poor people of Montserrat for years to come.
Earlier this week Premier the Honourable Joseph Farrell said the ferry, MV Jayden Sun was costing the government more than 500,000 dollars per month, while it is hardly been used, docked at Port Little Bay.
The ferry passenger service was suspended in March when the island’s borders were closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Since that time the ferry is being used to ferry cargo from Antigua twice weekly.
Premier Farrell stated that with the government facing a 22 million dollar budget deficit, the costs are hard to justify.
Government also says money saved from the cancellation of the ferry service would be used to subsidize airfares and provide for a cargo service.
However, Mr. Hogan says airlines are already subsidized and that the withdrawal of the ferry will cause hardship for the people of Montserrat.
In related news, Commissioner of Police Steve Foster has granted permission to the Leader of the Opposition the Honourable Paul Lewis to stage the protest between 10 am and 12 noon.
In his letter to Mr. Lewis, Commissioner Foster outlined that organizations will be held accountable for any breech of the Public Health or the Public Health (COVID19) Suppression Order 2020.
Therefore, the gathering must not be more than fifty persons, everyone must wear a face mask for the duration of the event, and a physical distance of 6 feet or more between protesters must be maintained.
Commissioner Foster also advised Mr. Lewis that entry to all public buildings will also be prohibited during the event, and there must be a free flow of traffic through the Government headquarters compound.
He also told the Opposition Leader that there should be no confrontations with Public Officials and Public Servants, and loud hailers or amplifications equipment are prohibited.
Protesters must also gather a safe distance from all government buildings and all public roads.
Mr. Lewis, a former Minister of Communications and Works, opposes the cancellation of the ferry service.
Paul Lewis.